Curing Affluenza

Curing Affluenza Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Status; Value; Pride; Humility; Invite / Luke 14:1-24 Introduction Affluenza is a word compounded from "affleunce" and "influenza". It's been around since about mid 1950's, used to describe the psychological effects of wealth. Defined as "a painful and contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more." Socially transmitted - culturally influenced. We remember the headlines of the Affleunza Teen - the defense was that he was unable to see the effects and understand the consequences of his actions because of wealth and status. Affleunza can also prevent one from seeing the spiritual consequences due to one's wealth and social status also. This morning in Luke's Gospel we come to the last of the dinner parties that Jesus attends with the Pharisees. Here we will see Jesus bring to light the Pharisees affluenza and the cure for affleunza that is needed so that our spiritual affluenza wont keep us from God's planned banquet. Let read along and see what Jesus says is the cure for this spiritual affleunza. Luke 14:1-3 CSB 1 One Sabbath, when he went in to eat at the house of one of the leading Pharisees, they were watching him closely. 2 There in front of him was a man whose body was swollen with fluid. 3 In response, Jesus asked the law experts and the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" Luke 14:4-6 CSB 4 But they kept silent. He took the man, healed him, and sent him away. 5 And to them, he said, "Which of you whose son or ox falls into a well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?" 6 They could find no answer to these things. Luke 14:7-8 CSB 7 He told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they would choose the best places for themselves: 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don't sit in the place of honor, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host. Luke 14:9-10 CSB 9 The one who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in humiliation, you will proceed to take the lowest place. 10 "But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' You will then be honored in the presence of all the other guests. Luke 14:11-12 CSB 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." 12 He also said to the one who had invited him, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. Luke 14:13-14 CSB 13 On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:15-16 CSB 15 When one of those who reclined at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is the one who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 Then he told him, "A man was giving a large banquet and invited many. Luke 14:17-19 CSB 17 At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, 'Come, because everything is now ready.' 18 "But without exception they all began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.' 19 "Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm going to try them out. I ask you to excuse me.' Luke 14:20-21 CSB 20 "And another said, 'I just got married, and therefore I'm unable to come.' 21 "So the servant came back and reported these things to his master. Then in anger, the master of the house told his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame.' Luke 14:22-24 CSB 22 " 'Master,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, and there's still room.' 23 "Then the master told the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges and make them come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, not one of those people who were invited will enjoy my banquet.' " Apply Love Equally Luke 14:1-3 CSB 1 One Sabbath, when he went in to eat at the house of one of the leading Pharisees, they were watching him closely. 2 There in front of him was a man whose body was swollen with fluid. 3 In response, Jesus asked the law experts and the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" Luke 14:4-6 CSB 4 But they kept silent. He took the man, healed him, and sent him away. 5 And to them, he said, "Which of you whose son or ox falls into a well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?" 6 They could find no answer to these things. Again accepting a dinner invitation Jesus went to the house of a Pharisee on a Sabbath. As Jesus went into the house there in front was a man whose body was swollen with fluid and as Jesus saw Him He also saw that the Pharisees and the attendees were watching Him. Again trying to trap Jesus - we know this because the language for they were watching Him - is literally they were watching Him with suspicion, insidiously and with evil intent. Here was a man with what other translations say is dropsy - an invited guest to this dinner party, but not invited with pure intentions but with ulterior motives. He wasn't a guest but intended as a trap and a snare for Jesus. The Pharisees intended to catch Jesus again healing on the Sabbath and again break their Sabbath laws. We know this is their intentions even though they say nothing, because the passage then says Jesus asked a question in response. In response to what? To their hearts and their motives and their suspicious eyeing of Him and this man. The question Jesus asked "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" All around however did not answer and instead it is recorded they kept silent - literally they held their peace and were more silent than before. Undaunted by human ideas, motives and beliefs - Jesus (Son of God and their Messiah) healed this man. Dropsy is a condition where the body retains a ridiculous amount of fluid to the point it is noticeable and thus to claim healing would be something easily noticeable and impossible to fake. Jesus healed this man and sent Him on his way. Not because He was a nuisance so much but probably more so out of compassion to save Him from the judgmental critics. Jesus now asks a second question and this is where I want us to focus our attention on to understand the depth of what Jesus is saying here. "Which of you whose son or ox falls into a well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?" They could find no answer to these things. Jesus in asking this question exposes the nerve of their issue - perhaps exposing a nerve of our own issue this morning. They had no problem ignoring the Sabbath law to the benefit and well-being of their own family or their own ox, but they had no compassion for anyone else in it. Their love was reserved for their own. It's easy to love those who are our own - but God calls us to love even our enemies and that includes everyone in between also Matthew 5:43-45 CSB 43 "You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:46-48 CSB 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don't even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. The affluenza of the Pharisees prevented them from seeing that this man with dropsy or any other Jew was one of their own - they were religious leaders with charge over those entrusted to them, but they refused to care for them as their own because of the stigma and social status os such a person. Hebrews 13:17 CSB 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. While the love of the Pharisees was hypocritical and applied unequally - Jesus gave the ultimate example of love and compassion applied equally. He not only healed the man with dropsy but here He was at the house of the prominent Pharisee. Despite problems and disputes and the plotting of the Pharisees Jesus still interacted and associated with them continually and consistently love them and reach out to them desiring to show them a godly example. Just as the Pharisees - Jesus would heal and help and save that which was His, but unlike the Pharisees Jesus sees all as His own - even them His enemies. Jesus cares and loves for all as His own for we are His - desiring to save us all Value Humility Luke 14:7-8 CSB 7 He told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they would choose the best places for themselves: 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don't sit in the place of honor, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host. Luke 14:9-10 CSB 9 The one who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in humiliation, you will proceed to take the lowest place. 10 "But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' You will then be honored in the presence of all the other guests. Luke 14:11 CSB 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Now inside at the banquet Jesus speaks a parable to those who were invited to the banquet. The inspiration for this parable came from observing the interaction of the invitees as they arrived and jockeyed for their positions around the table seeking the best places for themselves. In those days (even today) where you sat would tell the tale of the social status of each person. Table places were similar to chair settings in band - each place has a rank associated. The affluenza of these guests seems to indicate that not only did your seat indicate your status but to acquire a higher seat could indeed create a higher social status - their pursuit and desire for higher status had them seeking a better chair. Jesus it seems just sat back and watched as they played musical chairs without the music. Jesus speaks and says when you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet do not sit in the place of honor. Perhaps a more distinguished person may have been invited, and now the host must have you move to give this man the seat of honor and you now must move to the last place. If you seek an honor which is not due to you, you risk embarrassment as you are demoted. The demotion wont be a little either it will be a lot as the intermediate and in-between seats are taken and now you must occupy the lowest position. Instead if you freely take the lower position you are more likely to be moved up by the host and everyone will see as you are given a higher seat. When you are already as low as can be the only other place to go is up Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. If you value the place of the humble you will be more apt to be exalted or lifted up. If you value the other seats and the higher position more than you are more likely to be put down to lower than you believe you deserve. It is easier to honor and exalt one who has humbled themselves than someone who has lifted themselves too high already We must be careful though to not only value the place of humility for ourselves but that anyone in the place of the humble should be valued. I cannot help but wonder what place Jesus was sitting at as He was speaking. I can only speculate - but based on Jesus attitude and humility I can only guess He would lift others up while lowering Himself. Philippians 2:3 CSB 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Philippians 2:5-6 CSB 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Philippians 2:7-8 CSB 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death- even to death on a cross. Jesus could humble Himself because He trusted God to exalt Him. Philippians 2:9 CSB 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, There is a something wonderful and permanent and lasting knowing that God has raised you up, instead of fighting to raise yourself up. When we raise ourselves up it is always temporary and God promises to humble those who exalt themselves, for pride comes before a fall. Romans 12:3 CSB 3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Proverbs 29:23 CSB 23 A person's pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor. Inclusive Hospitality Luke 14:12 CSB 12 He also said to the one who had invited him, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. Luke 14:13-14 CSB 13 On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Affluenza can create an echo chamber if you will - a place where we tend to gather with those people who are similar to us or in similar situations as us. Jesus turns his attention and now takes issue with this exact tendency for those who see themselves as the upper echelon or those who want to get into the upper echelons of society. Jesus goes on to tell the host who had invited Him to this banquet and for all in hearing distance that when creating the guest list to take care not to produce this situation where your hospitality and hosting is exclusive. Jesus says dont invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors. They might invite you back and you would be repaid. It is a generous and gracious treat to host people and show them hospitality, and Jesus says dont just reserve this for those whom you know. It is easy to be hospitable and gracious to those whom we know and are familiar, while excluding others because we dont know them well. Hebrews 13:2 CSB 2 Don't neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. Jesus says instead - in fact He says it stronger than that - He says ON THE CONTRARY - unlike that other way entirely! When you host a banquet invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind - those who would be outcasts, difficult, different, or just not the norm. By doing this you will be blessed - because they cannot repay you. Jesus says the norm is to invite those who can return the favor to you but He says invite those who could never return the favor and you will be blessed. You may not only welcome angels as guests but you shall be repaid by God in heaven Himself. At the resurrection of the righteous. Matthew 25:40 CSB 40 "And the King will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' In Conclusion - Jesus gives us a parable to tell them (and us today) God has A Planned Banquet Luke 14:15 CSB 15 When one of those who reclined at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is the one who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Luke 14:16-17 CSB 16 Then he told him, "A man was giving a large banquet and invited many. 17 At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, 'Come, because everything is now ready.' Luke 14:18-20 CSB 18 "But without exception they all began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.' 19 "Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm going to try them out. I ask you to excuse me.' 20 "And another said, 'I just got married, and therefore I'm unable to come.' Luke 14:21 CSB 21 "So the servant came back and reported these things to his master. Then in anger, the master of the house told his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame.' Luke 14:22-24 CSB 22 " 'Master,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, and there's still room.' 23 "Then the master told the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges and make them come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, not one of those people who were invited will enjoy my banquet.' " Affluenza - similar to dropsy or edema - but applied to material possessions, stuff, wealth and status will prevent us from attending the banquet. We will make excuses to skip the banquet due to our affluenza and inability to understand the consequences because of it. Our affluenza problem - retaining of things getting in the way of attending the banquet • I bought a field and I must go and see it (who buys a field without seeing it first?) Material Possessions ahead of the gracious gospel presentation • I bought 5 yoke of oxen and I am going to try them out (who doesnt try out the oxen before buying them?) - the oxen would still be there - business, jobs, occupations ahead of the call of God • I got married and therefore am unable to come (who doesnt know they will get married?) - The law excused a married man from war Deuteronomy 24:5 CSB 5 "When a man takes a bride, he must not go out with the army or be liable for any duty. He is free to stay at home for one year, so that he can bring joy to the wife he has married. • but not from social courtesy. The new wife may have been glad to attend the feast together - family ties, social relationships ahead of gospel invitation The excuse makers condemned themselves the excuses were a thin veil covering the fact that they did not WANT to attend the banquet. They were not to be compelled by force of arms (as has been done in the history of Christendom), but rather by force of argument. Loving persuasion was to be used in an effort to bring them in so that the master's house might be filled. Romans 11:25 CSB 25 I don't want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. God has invited all - we will miss out because of our own choice not because God excluded us Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:32 PM November 14, 2020.